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You might remember my blog post back in May about the trip I took with a few antique hunter friends to Mercanteinfiera in Parma, Italy. (If not, click here to brush up.) Since then, we’ve been dying to see what CTC&G editor, DJ Carey, would choose to portray from our three day experience abroad. “Italian Treasures” from the September issue, which happens to be appropriately titled “Curated Style”, was worth waiting for.

I truly dislike the question: “What is your design style?” but if I had to choose a label, “A Curated One” is what I would select. I think the best designers are inspired by different sights, sounds, smells, colors…everything in their environment, including, what interests their clients. Why do you think so many designers showcase their travels on Instagram? Each new hotel, restaurant, garden, museum or antique market is inspiration. And this being inspired is what fires our creativity. It allows us to hone our ability to mix furniture from different periods or draw together unexpected colors. It is this curiosity in our environment that enables us to create unique spaces for our clients. For me, Italy, and more specifically, Mercanteinfiera, was an amazing way to immerse myself in new sights, sounds, and feels…not to mention the tastes and smells. For more about our trip to Italy, pick up a copy of the issue.

And again, many thanks to Toma Clark Haines, The one and only Antiques Diva, Margaret Schwartz and Kelly Maguire of Modern Antiquarian, and of course…DJ Carey of CTC&G.

“Italian Treasures” was originally published in Connecticut Cottages & Gardens September 2018.